Advocating for LGBTQ Youth
A
ll youth rely on their parents for
guidance, support, nurturance, and
unconditional acceptance. Foster
and adoptive parents are important allies
and advocates for youth. If we provide
guidance, support, nurturance, and advocacy
for LGBTQ youth, we will be instrumental in
their successful development.
Approximately 5% to 10% of the general
population is lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, or questioning
their sexual orientation or
gender identity (LGBTQ).
LGBTQ adolescents are
estimated to make up a
disproportionate share of the
youth who are in foster care
according to the Child
Welfare League of America
and the Lambda Legal Joint
Initiative.
Fear Factor
Many young people fear the negative
reactions that come from revealing that they
are LGBTQ. Many youth in care may not have
acknowledged or “come out” to share that they
identify as LGBTQ.
LGBTQ youth are also often victims of
physical, sexual, and verbal abuse and often
have a high rate of suicide attempts, binge
alcohol use, and drug use. They often
experience insecure feelings and emotional
6682 West Greenfield, Suite 310
Milwaukee, WI 53214
800-762-8063
info@coalitionforcyf.org
trauma due to being subjected to bullying.
Allies and Advocates
An important aspect of advocating for all
youth is acceptance with an open heart and
mind when a young person instills their trust
by informing you of their sexual orientation
or gender identity.
Barbara Jones, an experienced Wisconsin
foster parent, has had placement of LGBTQ
children. She suggests that often we lack
knowledge or exposure to
LGBTQ issues, so we may
shut down or have prejudice
toward LGBTQ foster youth.
She goes on to suggest that
we educate ourselves; we
will be more open and
accepting to work with
children and adults of
varying sexual orientations.
As a foster parent, it is
important to be “open, accepting and a good
listener,” according to Barbara. Create an
atmosphere within your home that allows the
child to feel safe and comfortable to speak to
you about any subject, including sexuality.
“Kids need a chance to talk openly,” says
Barbara. “We also need to be sensitive to
their need for privacy.”
Continued on page 2
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 Advocating for LGBTQ Youth, continued
Supporting Youth in Care by Educating
Ourselves
Education is the key to becoming more
knowledgeable about the needs of youth. By
attending workshops and getting books and
videos, you can learn about the issues that
LGBTQ youth and adults often face .
You may also benefit by
meeting with other foster Kids need a chance to
or adoptive parents who
care for LGBTQ Youth.
talk openly. We also need
Find a local support
to be sensitive to their
group through need for privacy.
organizations such as
Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians
and Gays (PFLAG), or LGBT community
centers.
If there is not a local organization, develop
and create one. See Gay-Straight Alliance
Network for tips to get started. You may also
want to encourage your licensing agency to
provide training to foster and adoptive
parents about LGBTQ issues.
How to Support LGBTQ Youth in Care
Our own family, personal histories, and
experiences can affect our ability to work with
or be sensitive to the needs of others. Take
the time to explore your own personal beliefs
and values about LGBTQ issues. Will our
thoughts, feelings and behavior toward
LGBTQ people have a positive or negative
impact on our relationship with the youth?
 Appreciate diversity and accept
individuals for who they are.
6682 West Greenfield, Suite 310
Milwaukee, WI 53214
800-762-8063
info@coalitionforcyf.org
Page 2
 Be aware that your reaction to your child’s
orientation will have a major impact on
your child’s life; either positively or
negatively.
 Examine your beliefs and attitudes that
might impact your ability to support
LGBTQ youth in your
care.
 Do not try to change
your child’s sexual
orientation or gender
identity and support the
child that is questioning
their orientation.
 Educate yourself about the realities of
LGBTQ individuals and avoid unfounded
myths and negative stereotypes.
 Acknowledge that LGBTQ is a healthy
expression of human sexuality, and it is
not a choice.
 Recognize that sexual orientation and
gender identity make up only part of the
individual.
 Choose and use inclusive language such as
“partner” and “significant other.”
 Respect and be sensitive to the youth’s
right to privacy and confidentiality.
 Advocate for the youth in care by
informing and educating the community
about LGBTQ issues.
 Create an open, accepting, and safe
Continued on page 3
In
© 2008; partnership
2013 with
 Advocating for LGBTQ Youth, continued
home environment for the youth,
emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
 Protect young people from verbal,
emotional and physical harassment
and mistreatment in your home, school
and community.
 Respect a transgender young person’s
choice of name and gendered pronouns
that best reflects their sense of self as
female or male.
 Become familiar with the resources
available to LGBTQ young people in
your community
Successful Connections with LGBTQ
Youth
By identifying our attitudes and beliefs
toward LGBTQ youth and educating
ourselves as well as others, foster and
adoptive parents will have an incredible and
affirming impact on the lives of LGBTQ
young people.
Remember that you have the opportunity to
make a positive connection with youth who
need you to be their ally and their advocate.
6682 West Greenfield, Suite 310
Milwaukee, WI 53214
800-762-8063
info@coalitionforcyf.org
Page 3
Resources Available from the
Coalition Lending Library
Families Like Mine: Children of Gay
Parents tell it Like it Is, by Abigail
Garner
Breaking the Silence: Lesbian Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender and Queer
Foster Youth, (DVD) by the National
Center for Lesbian Rights
Two Birthdays for Beth, (children’s
book) by Gay Lynn Cronin
Survival Guide for Queer and
Questioning Teens, by Kelly Huegel
Youth In the Margins, by Colleen
Sullivan, Susan Sommer, and Jason Moff
How it Feels to Have a Gay or
Lesbian Parent, by Judith E. Snow, MA
Beyond Diversity Day: A Q&A on
Gay and Lesbian Issues in School, by
Arthur Lipkin
In the System and in the Life, by Youth
Communication
In
© 2008; partnership
2013 with